12 Things Electricians Never Do at Home (and You Shouldn’t Either)
These shortcuts seem harmless—until they're not.
Expert consulted: Dan DiClericoHome Improvement & Outdoor Director
I'm pretty DIY-minded. I'll tackle most home projects without a second thought—painting, assembling furniture, even minor plumbing fixes. But electricity? That's where I draw a hard line. I took one electrical engineering seminar in college because it sounded interesting, and haven’t touched the subject since. I know myself and I just know I shouldn’t mess around with wiring; I’m deathly afraid of electrocuting myself.
Not everyone shares that caution, though. I have friends who think nothing of swapping outlets, daisy-chaining power stripsor running extension cords under rugs. Their reasoning? Everything's been fine so far, and nothing's caught on fire yet. The scary thing about electrical hazards is that they often look completely harmless until something goes catastrophically wrong.
So, I turned to the experts to settle this once and for all. I spoke with Dan DiClerico, Home Improvement & Outdoor Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, and Brian Ashpaughof Ashpaugh Electric, Inc. & Angi Certified Pro, to find out which common electrical shortcuts are actually dangerous. Their advice is clear: some things are absolutely worth the inconvenience of doing properly. Here are the electrical mistakes they say you should never make at home.
Rely on space heaters as primary heat
Space heaters might seem like an easy fix for a cold room, but they're more dangerous than most people realize. "Space heaters are EXTREMELY dangerous, as the consumption from the small heaters overtaxes the electrical circuit," Ashpaugh warns. "The heaters run continuously, causing the electrical circuit to run at 100% capacity."
Over time, this creates a thermal condition where wiring starts to melt from overheating. DiClerico adds: "Space heaters generate so much heat that they can overload the power strip or extension cord, causing a serious fire hazard." Always plug them directly into wall outlets—never power strips.
Daisy-chain power strips or extension cords
Plugging one power strip into another feels like a simple solution when you need more outlets, but it's extremely risky. "Homeowners do not consider the electrical consumption when utilizing extension cords," Ashpaugh explains. "With extension cords and power strips, there is a significant reduction in power, which creates overheating." This is especially dangerous when people use multiple power strips together. Each connection point increases resistance and heat, creating a serious fire hazard.
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Run extension cords under rugs
Hiding an extension cord under a rug might look neater, but it's a fire hazard waiting to happen. "The cord can fray over time, which could lead to a spark igniting the flammable rug," DiClerico warns. If you need power across the room, run the cord along the wall or invest in a longer cord that can be properly routed around furniture. The visual mess isn't worth the fire risk.
Ignore loose outlets
If plugs fall out of your outlets or feel loose when connected, that's not just annoying—it's dangerous. "Those outlets should be immediately replaced," Ashpaugh says, "as the 'loose' condition means that the electrical function is greatly impaired and will cause extreme overheating." This can damage both the circuit and whatever's plugged into it. Replace loose outlets as soon as you notice the problem.
DIY electrical work beyond basic tasks
Changing a light bulb? Fine. But anything more complicated should be left to professionals. "Electricity is extremely safe when performed by Licensed Master Electrical Journeymen," Ashpaugh notes. "Electricity can become extremely dangerous when performed by individuals who do not understand the full complexity of the electrical circuitry."
Tasks involving your electrical panel, hardwired fixtures, or new circuits should always be handled by licensed electricians. The risks—fires, electrocution, code violations—far outweigh any money saved.
Make wire junctions inside walls
During home remodels, some DIYers try to save time by connecting wires directly inside walls. "We see where people make non-safe, non-approved, electrical junctions inside a wall where they connect multiple wires without an electrical box," Ashpaugh warns.
These connections, placed next to wood studs behind drywall, can't be accessed or repaired when problems occur. This creates hidden fire hazards that can go undetected for years.
Use multiple high-heat styling tools at once
Hair dryers and straighteners seem harmless, but they draw significant power. "These items require a good deal of electricity to bring them up to heat quickly, which can create a good deal of heat on a circuit," Ashpaugh explains. He specifically warns against using a hair dryer and straightener simultaneously on the same circuit. Spread high-wattage devices across different outlets to avoid overloading circuits.
Backfeed a portable power station
During power outages, some people try to "backfeed" a generator by plugging it into a wall outlet to power their home. This is incredibly dangerous. "This can cause a fire, destroy the equipment, and even create the risk of electrocution for utility workers who are working on the power line into your home," DiClerico warns.
If you want to connect a generator to your home's electrical system, hire a licensed electrician to install a proper transfer switch.
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Ignore constantly tripping breakers
When breakers or GFCI devices keep tripping, don't just keep resetting them. "These devices are for your personal protection. They should not be ignored," Ashpaugh says. "A professional needs to make a diagnosis as to what is causing the condition and make the electrical repairs before a large electrical safety issue occurs." Repeatedly tripping breakers are warning signs of overloaded circuits, faulty wiring, or dangerous electrical conditions.
Overload your electrical panel
Electrical panels have maximum circuit limits set by Underwriters' Laboratories. "Many times, an electrical panel that may be rated for a maximum of 40 circuits will have a great deal more circuits installed by a DIY or non-educated installer," Ashpaugh warns. This creates excessive heat and degradation of the electrical busbar, which can require complete panel replacement. Stick to your panel's rated capacity.
Replace a breaker with a higher-amp version
When a breaker keeps tripping, some DIYers replace a 15-amp breaker with a 20- or 30-amp one. This is extremely dangerous. "The circuit breaker is installed for the American Wire Gauge or the size of the wire," Ashpaugh explains. "When installing a larger capacity breaker, the wire is badly overheated and may physically melt, which can cause an electrical fire." Breakers are safety devices matched to wire capacity. Upgrading the breaker without upgrading the wire removes that protection.
Use indoor extension cords outdoors
Indoor and outdoor extension cords are built differently for good reason. Indoor cords aren't designed to withstand weather, moisture, and temperature changes. Using them outside can lead to damaged insulation, exposed wires, and serious shock hazards. Always use extension cords rated for outdoor use when powering anything outside your home. They're specifically designed to handle the elements safely and prevent potentially fatal accidents.
Noah Cortez is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor writing about
travel, culture, food, and lifestyle. Prior to this, he was a social media
editor at GQ Magazine, Complex, and Conde Nast Traveler, and his writing
has been featured in Tripadvisor, Hotels Above Par, Conde Nast Traveler,
and more. Find out more at noahcortez.com.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
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